Kevin van Veen’s second-half strike against Portsmouth last weekend ensured that Graham Alexander’s men returned home with a 1-1 draw and remained in fourth position.

Meanwhile, Gillingham, who are managed by Steve Lovell, defeated Rochdale 2-1 to move up to 14th place. They fell behind in that match, but Bradley Garmston and Lee Martin hit back for the Gills to collect all three points.

TEAM NEWS…Matt Gilks will miss the match with a calf injury, but Alexander is hopeful that the goalkeeper could return to action next weekend.

Meanwhile, new loanee Ryan Yates will spend time with parent club Nottingham Forest after having an operation on his finger. The midfielder will return to the Iron at the beginning of next week.

Luke Williams has continued to train all week following a long-term hamstring lay-off, with Alexander stating he is getting fitter every day.

Long-term absentees Jordan Clarke (hamstring) and Jonathon Margetts (knee) are still a while away from returning, whilst Sam Mantom is back out on the grass as he steps up his recovery from a groin injury.

There are no new injury concerns for this weekend.

ONE TO WATCH…Tall striker Tom Eaves is a player the Iron defence will have to watch closely this weekend.

The 26-year-old forward has scored nine league goals in 23 games this season, which included a strike in their recent 2-1 victory away at Charlton.

He joined the Kent side at the beginning of this season from Yeovil. Before that, he spent time out on loan at various clubs during his six-year spell at Bolton.

Report: Iron 1-3 Gillingham

Lee Martin fired the visitors ahead in the opening half, but Josh Morris scored an equaliser soon into the second period.

However, Josh Parker and Tom Eaves both netted to seal victory for Steve Lovell’s side.

United manager Graham Alexander opted to name an unchanged XI from the team that secured a 1-1 draw at Portsmouth last weekend.

The away side started brightly, and fashioned a few dangerous crosses, but the Iron defended well to see away the danger.

The first major opportunity fell for Eaves after 12 minutes, but he could only head wide from a dinked Bradley Garmston cross on Gillingham’s left wing.

The Iron should have been one ahead after Morris crossed dangerously, but an unmarked Neal Bishop could only head over.

United continued their dominance, firstly when Cameron Burgess had a header cleared off the line – before the resultant corner saw a scramble, ending in a superb block from the Gills defence to keep the score level.

The visitors went ahead after they dispossessed the Iron and played into Parker, before Martin was set up to hammer it into the top corner.

The home side were afforded a half chance five minutes before the break after Kevin van Veen’s ball made it all the way to the back post, but Burgess could only prod wide.

The scores should have been level a few minutes later, but somehow a Gills defender got his body in the way of Charlie Goode’s thunderous strike.

The Iron could have had a penalty as half-time approached, but referee Carl Boyeson deemed Parker’s trip on Duane Holmes to be narrowly outside the box. Morris’ resulting free kick was dealt with confidently by the visiting defence.

Morris almost found an early second-half leveller from a free-kick not far from the edge of the visitors’ box, but the ball didn’t dip enough to hit the target. A great effort nonetheless.

It only took Morris an extra minute to hit the target this time. After he picked up a pass from Tom Hopper, he hit it from the edge of the box past Tomas Holy to make it 1-1.

The Gills could have been ahead again soon after the equaliser, but Rory Watson was the hero as he made himself big to put Eaves off when he had a clear sight of goal.

United broke a minute later, and it was Morris again who was teed up – this time by Holmes – but his curled effort was deflected onto the post.

Gillingham were back ahead after a cross from the right was headed home by Parker, leaving Watson with no chance.

Eaves put the visitors 3-1 ahead after being played through on goal, sliding the ball under Watson.

Ivan Toney had his first effort after coming off the bench when Bishop crossed, but his header was held easily by Holy.

Toney wasn’t too far away again with eight minutes left to play, but his header went narrowly wide this time.

There were five additional minutes added on, as United looked to find a way back into the game. It wasn’t to be though, and the game ended at 3-1 to the visitors.

The game will played on Saturday, January 20th, 2018 (3.00pm kick-off).

Supporters can buy at Early Bird prices until the ticket office closes on Friday, January 19th at 5pm, and also until three hours before kick-off online via our ticketing website (www.sufctickets.com). Matchday prices then apply.

Buying online also enables fans to use our ‘e-ticket’ option which emails the ticket across to the supporter's email address, and enables them to print the ticket at home, or scan from their mobile at the turnstile.

Fans will be able to pay on the gate for Turnstiles 2A and 2B of the Britcon Stand, and also Turnstile 4A of the Clugston Stand. Full matchday prices apply.

United's encounter against the Gills is a Category B fixture.

SPB STAND

Category B Early Bird Member

Category B Early Bird

Category B Matchday

Adult

£21

£22

£25

65+/U21/Student

£14

£15

£17

U18

£5

£6

£8

U12*

Free

Free

Free

CLUGSTONSTAND

Category B Early Bird Member

Category B Early Bird

Category B Matchday

Adult

£21

£22

£25

65+/U21/Student

£14

£15

£17

U18

£5

£6

£8

U12*

Free

Free

Free

BRITCONSTAND

Category B Early Bird Member

Category B Early Bird

Category B Matchday

Adult

£17

£18

£21

65+/U21/Student

£12

£13

£15

U18

£5

£6

£8

U12*

Free

Free

Free

SPBSTANDFAMILYSTAND

Category B Early Bird Member

Category B Early Bird

Category B Matchday

Adult

£19

£20

£23

65+/U21/Student

£13

£14

£16

U18**

£3

£4

£6

U12*

Free

Free

Free

EXECUTIVESEATS

Category B Early Bird Member

Category B Early Bird

Category B Matchday

Adult

£29

£30

£33

65

£22

£23

£25

U21

£17

£18

£20

U18

£12

£13

£15

* Maximum of two under 12’s free per paying adult/concession. Subsequent juniors must be paid for at the U18 rate.

Tuesday, January 2 – 8.30am until 5pmWednesday, January 3 – 8.30am until 6pmThursday, January 4 – 8.30am until 5pmFriday, January 5 – 8.30am until 5pmSaturday, January 6 - ClosedSunday, January 7 - ClosedMonday, January 8 – 8.30am until 5pmTuesday, January 9 – 8.30am until 5pmWednesday, January 10 – 8.30am until 6pmThursday, January 11 – 8.30am until 5pmFriday, January 12 – 8.30am until 5pmSaturday, January 13 - ClosedSunday, January 14 - 8.30am until 5pmMonday, January 15 – 8.30am until 5pmTuesday, January 16 – 8.30am until 5pmWednesday, January 17 – 8.30am until 6pmThursday, January 18 – 8.30am until 5pmFriday, January 19 – 8.30am until 5pmSaturday, January 20 - 9am until 3pm (and also for a short period of time after the game)